‘What kind of female are you?’

 'Are you intimidating?' 'Are you destined to succeed?' These are just some online tests I discovered in Cosmopolitan magazine online. I established in my last post that there are many ‘predict the future’ quizzes and games which are largely aimed at children. However, I also discovered that within popular women’s magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Elle and OK there are many horoscopes and tests which claim to help women understand their fate and destiny. I have found that these online magazines provide daily horoscopes, celebrity astrology, information on star signs and tests which claim to help women discover their future.

    Due to the number of magazines which provide this information and advice online, it is clear that women are genuinely interested in the topic of fate and destiny – but why is this? I mentioned in my previous post that ‘predict the future’ tests may reassure children that their future goals and ambitions can become a reality. Is this the same for adults?

    Within Cosmopolitan magazine, there are many online tests which aim to help women find out more about themselves and their future. Even though these tests are created to entertain readers, they also provide detailed information and advice from life coaches and career experts. This suggests that the tests are to be taken seriously and their aim is to give women advice in different areas of their lives.

    These tests may influence women’s decisions and inspire them to achieve certain goals. They may give women the confidence to make changes in their lives. Therefore, online tests and horoscopes, may also reassure adults that their long term goals and aspirations can become a reality. Cosmopolitan online also advertises other websites such as Nirvana Light which provides psychic readings that can apparently guide us in all areas of life. This demonstrates how online magazines encourage women to explore these issues on other fate and destiny websites.  

    There are also specific magazines – which are also available online – such Take a Break’s Fate and Fortune and Spirit and Destiny magazine which  focus entirely on the topic of fate and destiny. The internet is an easy and accessible way for women to read their horoscopes and gain specific information about their future from astrologers and experts. Women are clearly interested in astrology, horoscopes and ways of understanding our fate and destiny, but what does this say about religion in Britain today? Do people believe our lives are already planned out? Do people read horoscopes to find meaning within their lives?